TURNER, Opal Cecelia

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from October 23 to October 30, 2011 - Opal Folda Turner, age 76, a 34-year resident of Bullhead City, Ariz., passed away quietly of cancer in the late hours of Friday, September 16, 2011, in Phoenix, Ariz. Opal Cecelia Folda was born December 11, 1934, in Lewistown, Mont. She was the youngest child of Stanley and Opal (Hillard) Folda. At the time of her birth, the family lived and ranched in the Hilger area. They later moved to Moore where they continued ranching and Opal spent her formative years here. They spent winters in a house in Moore to attend school and summers on the ranch. This is when Opal learned her work ethic by driving grain truck and making sure meals were prepared for her brother Bud. Because her parents were divorced, she alternated high schools each year. She attended Moore her freshman and junior years, and Lewistown her sophomore and senior years. She played basketball, and was elected as a cheerleader at both schools. Upon graduation in 1952, Opal left Montana for Baker, Calif. Opal went to work as a waitress in a café for her sister and brother-in-law, Jessie and Keith Schaff. It was here she met Harry Petrie, a mechanic at a station across the highway. Opal and Harry were married May 2, 1954, in Las Vegas, Nev., at the "Little Chapel Around the Corner." Shortly thereafter, they moved to Sidney, Mont., where her sister, Alice, and her husband, Jack Egge, lived. Here they settled down to make their home, and started their family, which grew to five children. During the day, Opal worked selling TV's, and worked as an operator for MT Bell at night. Harry drove for PV Elevator and sold TV's at night. Harry continued driving, and in 1961 Opal went to work as a bartender at the Lalonde Hotel. She managed the lounge for eight years before purchasing Youthtown, a womens and childrens clothing store and renaming it Michelle's, after her daughter. During this time, she and Harry divorced. Opal then married Henry Turner, who owned a local pharmacy. They spent time golfing and following the kid's sports endeavors. In 1976, they sold the businesses and moved to Helena, and became operating partners of Lakeside Marina on Hauser Dam. After a year, they sold their share of the business, and moved to Bullhead City, Ariz. They built a new pharmacy, operated it together, and both got their real estate licenses. They continued playing golf at the Chapparal Country Club. In the early 90s, Opal went to work for the Chaparral Country Club in the bar, and then helping put on dinners and catering. She also worked as a starter in the Pro Shop. Henry had retired, and Opal followed suit, but not before having plastic knees put in - the years of working on her feet had taken their toll. Opal and Henry traveled, visiting friends and family. Henry passed away in 2005, and since then, Opal spent her time between family members just being "Mom." She loved and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as long as she was around them on her terms, as most grandparents are won't do. Opal enjoyed life to the fullest and did pretty much everything she wanted while she was here. We reckon it'll be pretty much the same when she gets to heaven. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; parents, Stanley and Opal; two brothers, James and Stanley Jo (Bud); and four sisters, Dot, Jessie, Billie and Alice. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Dick) Diaz of Las Cruces, N.M.; three sons, Ricky (Lori) Petrie of Tempe, Ariz., Cory (Tracie) Petrie of Sidney, Mont., and Marty (Landy) Petrie of Huntley, Mont.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and three stepchildren, Mike, Tom, and Jana Turner.